Published in: Review of Educational ResearchNovember 1, 2016
Ruth Berkowitz, University of Haifa Hadass Moore, University of Southern California Ron Avi Astor, University of Southern California Rami Benbenishty, Bar Ilan University
Abstract
Educational researchers and practitioners assert that supportive school and classroom climates can positively influence the academic outcomes of students, thus potentially reducing academic achievement gaps between students and schools of different socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds. Nonetheless, scientific evidence establishing directional links and mechanisms between SES, school climate, and academic performance is inconclusive. This comprehensive review of studies dating back to the year 2000 examined whether a positive climate can successfully disrupt the associations between low SES and poor academic achievement. Positive climate was found to mitigate the negative contribution of weak SES background on academic achievement; however, most studies do not provide a basis for deducing a directional influence and causal relations. Additional research is encouraged to establish the nature of impact positive climate has on academic achievement and a multifaceted body of knowledge regarding the multilevel climate dimensions related to academic achievement.
Read the online news release here.
Democrat & Chronicle, November 1, 2016 Washington Monthly, November 1, 2016 NPR, November 1, 2016
Education Week, November 1, 2016
The Hechinger Report, November 1, 2016
Politico, November 1, 2016
Phys.org, November 1, 2016